Thieves grab Fleetwood man’s mobility scooter

Police would like to speak to these two people following a theft in Fleetwood

Published:06:00Tuesday 28 February 2017

A man unable to work due to his disabilities is being forced to fork out more than £80 a week in hire fees following the theft of his mobility scooter.

William Jackson, 25, had only popped into a shop for a minute when his scooter was swiped.

I only went in the shop for a few minutes

The incident happened in Dock Street, Fleetwood on Monday and the thief struck in broad daylight.

Police have now issued an appeal in the hope of tracking down those responsible for the theft.

CCTV footage shows two people who officers believe may have been involved.

William, of Quayside in the town, who struggles with leg and back pain and also has autism, is desperate to get his transport back.

He said: “I only went in the shop for a few minutes.

“I’d been having trouble with the scooter the day before, getting the battery charged.

“I’d only just been able to get back out when somebody took it.It was stolen from right outside the shop, in the middle of the afternoon.

“You have to have a nerve to do that.”

Following the theft William has been forced to hire another scooter to ensure he doesn’t lose his mobility.

He said: “I have a bad back and a bad leg and the scooter is essential for me to get out and about.

“Without it I can’t go to the shops or anything.

“I’m paying £84 a week now to hire one, I don’t know how I will replace it.

“It’s a lot of money for me to be paying.

“I cannot work because of my conditions. Why would anybody want to take a scooter, it’s like taking away a person’s freedom.”

Police are investigating the theft, which took place outside the Local Shop in Lord Street at 4.30pm on Sunday February 19.

And they are hoping CCTV footage from the shop might help them in an effort to return William’s scooter.

A spokesman said: “We are investigating a theft of a mobility scooter from outside the Local Shop on Lord Street, Fleetwood at around 4.30pm on Sunday February 19.

“We are keen to speak to two people who were captured on CCTV in relation to the incident.

“Anyone who can help identify them or who has information on the theft should contact police on 101 quoting log WD1700926.” The theft happened on the same day an elderly man had his mobility scooter set on fire outside a property in Blackpool.

Firefighters were called to reports of a blaze outside a property on Hornby Road in Blackpool at around 8.30pm on 19 February.

The mobility scooter was completely destroyed.

An arson investigation is underway following the incident which left the scooter’s owner without transport.